View full sizeAmy Sancetta, Associated PressTristan Thompson worked out with Tim Duncan during last summer's NBA lockout, and he received a few more lessons from the San Antonio master Tuesday night at The Q.

To generations of kids weaned on ESPN, Duncan must seem like a player who wandered into their highlights from another era, his black-and-white Spurs uniform only lending to the perception. Duncan relies on fundamentals. He takes as much satisfaction in a 10-foot bank shot as a thunderous dunk.

"When I was younger, he was not always on the SportsCenter Top 10 plays, but he got it done in the box score," Thompson said of the four-time NBA champion and two-time league MVP. "Learning from a guy like that is priceless."

The 35-year-old Duncan, who faced the Cavaliers Tuesday at The Q, spent part of the NBA lockout working out and playing ball with Thompson in Texas. Thompson said he plans to do it again this summer. The Cavaliers big man is trying to improve his offensive game which he admits remains raw at the pro level. Most of his points come from dunks, offensive rebounds and baskets at the rim. Thompson is averaging 7.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

Coach Byron Scott will give the 21-year-old a to-do list for the off-season, which includes honing his post moves with former Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. But Scott certainly has no issues with Thompson occasionally training alongside Duncan, as well.

"If you have that type of guy you can work with, you better use it," Scott said. "Tim is probably, arguably, the best power forward to ever play the game."

Duncan downplayed how much he taught Thompson. They were part of a cluster of players who worked out and played together during the lockout in Texas. The future Hall of Famer sees real potential in Thompson.

"He's impressive," Duncan told the San Antonio Express-News on Tuesday. "Obviously, his length is impressive and the ability to already use both hands around the basket is impressive. He's already light years ahead of me in that aspect. I think he's got a very bright future in this league."

Varejao update: Scott said he hopes Anderson Varejao can rejoin the club next week. The center hasn't played since fracturing his right wrist Feb. 10. The coach would like to Varejao to get in one full practice before returning him to the lineup.

Former Spur flourishes: San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich isn't shocked that former Spur Alonzo Gee has made the best of his opportunity with the Cavs. Gee played for the Spurs Development League team in Austin, Texas and won rookie of the year honors for the 2009-10 season. He also played five games for San Antonio last season before eventually signing with the Cavaliers.

"We watched him develop on our D-League team and in the summertime," Popovich said. "He just had a lot to learn, a lot to catch up on. He put in the work to do that and that's a tribute to his character. ... With his work ethic and athleticism it was only a matter of time and the right opportunity."

Former Cav flourishes: Popovich wasn't certain Danny Green would make the Spurs out of training camp. Now, the former Cavalier is their starting shooting guard.

Green, a 2009 Cavaliers second-round draft pick, is averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 23.2 minutes. He is one of several youngsters adding depth to the Spurs' roster and allowing Popovich to manage the minutes of older stars such as Manu Ginobili, who's battled injuries.

"His progression has been more mental than anything else, his approach to the game," Popovich said of Green. "He is being more physical, more focused, deciding what he does best. I think he came in with a real focus to make an impression."

Green was the final cut from last season's training camp. It took time for the 6-6 guard to attract the attention of another team, but he was united with Danny Ferry, the former Cavs GM who's now the Spurs vice president of basketball operations.

The guard did not have a good camp in 2010 and Green said he wasn't surprised by his release because he could see his minutes dwindling in the preseason.

Gibson update: Daniel Gibson underwent surgery Monday to repair a torn tendon in his left ankle. The club announced last night the shooting guard will miss the remainder of the season.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.